2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, enhancing its sophistication with a 4-centimetre increase in length, a revised grille, and updated front and rear fascias. The addition of sporty character lines and new alloy wheel designs contributed to its modern look. Inside, the Kona's interior was redesigned to emphasize a more horizontal layout, creating a sense of spaciousness. Ambient lighting added a touch of elegance, while the introduction of the sporty N Line and Kona N trims brought unique styling elements, such as body-colour cladding and exclusive interior features, enhancing the vehicle's athletic appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, diverging from the rest of the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand's two-line lighting signature, creating an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70 offered six grades, with the Sport and Sport Plus grades receiving unique styling elements like a sculpted hood and dark chrome finishes. The GV70's interior was designed with an elliptical theme, inspired by airplane wings, and offered a wide range of colour combinations. The cabin featured high-quality materials, although some plastic elements were present in less noticeable areas.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of powertrains, catering to different performance preferences. The Essential and Preferred trims featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line trim boasted a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, delivering 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a seven-speed DCT. The Kona N, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, produced 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona N also featured exclusive driving modes and performance enhancements, making it a spirited choice for enthusiasts.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. This engine positioned the GV70 as a competitor to mid-level performance SUVs like the BMW X3 M40i and Audi SQ5. The GV70 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, with a rear-biased torque distribution. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing performance. The GV70's drive modes, including Sport and Sport+, provided varying levels of responsiveness, while the electronically controlled suspension system balanced comfort and road feedback.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, offered ample front-seat comfort with generous headroom and legroom. However, rear-seat occupants faced challenges with limited headroom and legroom due to the vehicle's dimensions. The Kona's cargo space was modest, with 544 litres available with all seats up and 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended for the Kona, limiting its utility for larger loads.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized driver-focused design, with a tall centre console and intuitive controls. The cabin featured standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with options for ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The rear space offered adjustable legroom and a panoramic sunroof, although storage was limited. The GV70 provided 819 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1,610 litres with the seats folded. The tonneau cover could be stowed under the rear load floor, enhancing cargo versatility.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona introduced more tech features, starting with an 8-inch display on the base trim, offering Bluetooth connectivity and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims included a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an optional Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, and Hyundai BlueLink provided connected services for three years.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 excelled in technology, featuring a standard 14.5-inch high-definition infotainment screen with split-screen capability. The premium Sport Plus grade included a 3D digital instrument cluster and Blind View Monitor system. The GV70 introduced a fingerprint recognition system for keyless start and offered a premium 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system on top grades. USB ports were available for both front and rear passengers, enhancing connectivity.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crashworthiness tests. However, it did not achieve Top Safety Pick status due to the "Marginal" rating for child-seat anchors.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance and lane-keeping assist. The Highway Driving Assist system provided lane centring and automatic lane changing functions. The GV70 introduced a radar-based rear occupant alert system. As of publication, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the GV70, but its onboard systems were of high quality.